#ThankATeacher: Parents Newly Appreciate Teachers After One Week of Home Schooling

How did you fare as a home-school parent this past week? Are you ready for the coming week, or weeks? I don’t know about you, but I have an incredible appreciation for the teachers and support staff who keep our kids learning and fed, and the schedules operating. I already held our educators on a high pedestal, but now that pedestal is standing on top of Mount Everest (in isolation, of course).

As you get ready to start week two of home schooling, join American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, several celebrities and elected officials, the AFT and Share My Lesson in thanking our teachers and school support staff.

Tweet, Facebook, or Instagram to show your support with the hashtags: #ThankATeacher or #ThankASupportStaff

Shonda Rhimes: Been homeschooling a 6-year old and 8-year old for one hour and 11 minutes. Teachers deserve to make a billion dollars a year. Or a week.

Governor Mike DeWine: Shout out to teachers: #ThankYou for all you're doing to keep our kids educated during the #COVID19 pandemic. #COVID19Ohio

Eliot Engel: With kids home from school, I think a lot of parents are appreciating the work teachers do every day in the classroom. From this former NYC public school teacher, I just want to say THANK YOU to all our educators who are still working hard for their students @NYSUT @UFT @AFTunion

Nicholas Ferroni: This pandemic has already revealed that: - schools are so much more than just schools. - many people now realize how tough it is to be a teacher and that teachers are grossly underpaid. - teachers are irreplaceable and essential to learning and education. #homeschooling

Clint Smith: If people didn’t already believe that teachers deserve raises, the next several weeks of folks homeschooling their kids are really about to prove it.

Mary Cathryn Ricker, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner: Thank you so much to the educators working across the state today to provide student care for our health care workers and first responders, delivering 1000s of meals, and diligently planning to deliver equitable distance learning. I am deeply grateful.

Brad Johnson: I wonder how many parents homes schooling today still think teaching is an easy profession and teachers are overpaid? Keeping in mind teachers have 30 kids per class. Teachers may be getting some sweet notes or treats or maybe even some apologies in a few weeks.

michaeltith: Day 2 of “homeschooling.” Thank you @LowellPSD @windhamsd @BostonSchools and all your teachers for what you do every day. After the dust settles, let’s remember how teachers, nurses, and all wraparound support deserve more from America. Support @NEAToday @AFTunion

Joanna D.: My 16yo’s @NYCSchools teacher is teaching 1st @zoom_us class w/her baby in her lap- gd bless her- and these scared & stressed teens are all cooing at the teacher’s baby & all is good at this very moment & I’m crying, I am so grateful for the helpers. #nyccoronavirus #NYCShutdown

And parents, please know that our teachers miss your kids too.

Teachers and staff from Niskayuna Central School District from Niskayuna, New York.